Governor Janet Mills at a Recent Coronavirus Daily Briefing in Augusta.

The Mills administration today unveiled an alternative to the State’s 14-day quarantine requirement requirement for people entering Maine.  The multilayered plan, called Keep Me Healthy, aims to protect the health of Maine people and visitors while allowing the opportunity for people to visit Maine and support Maines malal businesses during the summer months.  The plan rests on three cornerstones:  1) having visitors certify that they have received a recent negative COVID-19 test to stay in lodging establishments, such as hotels, as an alternative to quarantine; 2) increasing symptom checks at places where visitors tend to go; and 3) supporting community promotion of COVID-19 prevention best practices and public health education.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has loomed large in our state’s tourism industry.  Many Maine people are fearful that more visitors will increase the spread of the virus while many small businesses are fearful that a lack of visitors will force them to permanently close their doors,” said Governor Janet Mills in the press release issued today.  “It is my hope that by creating layers of protection to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus this plan will protect public health, establish Maine as a safe place to visit and allow tourists to come to Maine to support our small businesses.”

The three elements of this plan – testing, symptom checks and local prevention – will complement the State’s work to raise awareness of best practices to keep Maine safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  To that end, the Department of Health and Human Services has launched a public awareness campaign called “Keep It Maine” to motivate people to continue the COVID-19 prevention best practices that have helped MDaine maintain its low case counts compared to other states….”

Visitors from Vermont and New Hampshire are exempt from the requirement.